"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." -Jesus

123 Baptisms, 158 Restorations at River City Ministry in 2009

I just received the year end report from Anthony Wood – the evangelist for River City Ministry.

I’ve written about River City several times before having spent a good part of my growing up years being influenced by this ministry. My dad, Jim Woodell, currently serves as the Executive Director there, and my brother-in-law filled that position before him.

River City Ministry is a mission to North Little Rock, AR’s, poor and homeless population with facilities located in a pretty rough part of town.

Free groceries, shelter, clothing, showers, toiletries, medical services, prescriptions, eye and dental care, daily meals, and a host of other services are provided by the good people at River City.

But there’s one more thing: they also have a full-time evangelist on staff whose sole purpose is to share Jesus with those coming there for other services.

River City is a great example of a ministry concerned with social justice that is making an eternal impact on the individuals being served – not simply providing them with temporal care. Other ministries like this that aren’t experiencing these types of results might think about studying River City to see what you could do differently.

From Anthony’s email:

Friends I wanted to send you this list, as I have on occasion of those immersed and restored. As 2009 comes to an end, we all rejoice that because Jesus was lifted up daily by all who serve with River City Ministry, 120 were immersed into Christ and 158 were restored back to their first love.

I am so thankful to serve with a team of dedicated servants who glorify God in every way as they serve those whom society seems to forget. Please take a few minutes to pray each by name that the faithfulness, security, hope and love of God will richly indwell them.

Here’s hoping you all have a wonderful, rich, and restful holiday season.